AES 121st Convention Offers Student and Career Events

121st AES Convention Student/Career co-chairs Dottie Kreps and Josh Tidsbury (pictured) have developed a noteworthy program. "Guiding young people towards their optimal educational and vocational training opportunities is a paramount AES concern," says committee chair John Strawn. "In keeping with that mandate we are introducing three new events-two panels, 'Should I Go to Graduate School' and 'Inside The Job Interview: What To Expect,' and a student papers competition."

On Thursday, October 5 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., co-moderators Daniel Orejuela and Tidsbury will host the first Student Delegate Assembly (SDA), introducing new events and election proceedings, announcing candidates for the coming year's election for the North/Latin America regions and finalists in the recording competition categories. From 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., students may sign up for individual meetings with distinguished audio industry mentors.

On Friday, October 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., moderator Jason Corey will lead a panel discussion on "Designing an Audio Curriculum for the 21st Century." From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the "Student Recording Competition" enlists a prominent panel of judges in critiquing finalists in stereo and surround classical, jazz, folk/world music and pop/rock categories. A new event, "Should I Go to Graduate School," moderated by Rob Maher of Montana State University, takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Another new event, "Inside the Job Interview: What to Expect" takes place from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will be moderated by John Strawn. From 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., several prominent companies from the exhibit floor will take part on a career fair, welcoming students and professionals to visit with their representatives to learn about job and internship opportunities in the audio industry. Resumes are welcome.

Josh Tidsbury

Educational events on Saturday, October 7 include the "Student Recording Competition." From 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. a design competition gives students an opportunity to showcase their technical skills. An education fair takes place from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Information on each audio school's respective programs will be made available through displays and academic guidance. Admission is free and open to all convention attendees. From 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. co-moderators Kreps and Tidsbury will offer a resume review focusing on candidates in the areas of electrical engineering and computer sciences.

On Sunday October 8, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. the Student Delegate Assembly (SDA) will host the election of a new vice chair. Judges' comments and awards will be presented for the recording and design competitions. Plans for future student activities at local, regional and international levels will be summarized and discussed.

Lastly, AES Papers co-chairs Rob Maher and Christopher J. Struck will announce the award-winning student paper from the new AES Student Paper Award competition, designed to recognize student members who author technical papers. The winning manuscript will also be published in the Journal of the Audio Engineering Society.